Ashley Judd Senate Run Still On The Table, Star Says

Ashley Judd’s Senate ambitions have been buzzed about in politics and Hollywood for some time as the liberal Southerner has made no secret of a jones to get in the game politically, and the Double Jeopardy star admits she’s still on the fence about whether or not she wants to take on Kentucky state Republicans in a coming election.

We first learned of Ashley Judd’s Senate run mull last year when it was rumored the actress might face off against the GOP’s Sen. Mitch McConnell, a big player on the national scene. At the time, the youngest Judd told local news sources that she felt a call to serve but stopped short of committing:

“I cherish Kentucky, heart and soul, and while I’m very honored by the consideration, we have just finished an election, so let’s focus on coming together to keep moving America’s families, and especially our kids, forward.”

But Ashley Judd kept coming up in Senate speculation, and many predicted the liberal star would face a tough challenge in conservative Kentucky. Among naysayers was Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), who scoffed:

“She’s way damn too liberal for our country, for our state … She hates our biggest industry, which is coal. So I was good luck bringing the ‘I hate coal’ message to Kentucky.”

But Ashley Judd’s Senate plans have not been waylaid by trash talking potential opponents. Despite Sen. Paul’s comments, the celeb says she is “taking a close look” at a run because “the people of Kentucky need a fighter.”

But Judd has still not confirmed she plans to challenge McConnell for his Senate seat in the next election and still merely speculates (albeit heavily) on the move.